Dress code policy unfair to female students

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The current school dress code seems particularly targeted at girls, while many of the stricter rules do not apply to boys. For example, “there should be no shoulders or thighs showing, as well as inappropriate makeup or hair color.”

It has been explained that the reason behind these rules is that certain types of dress would be a distraction for boys. Despite the blazing Texas heat, female students can’t wear spaghetti straps to school or shorts deemed “too short.” But it seems unlikely that boys would be so shameless as to stare at girls’ shoulders or thighs — and if they do, it should be considered their problem, not the fault of female students.

How many times have women been asked on the stand if their sexual assault was perhaps caused by their wardrobe? We look at these types of questions as outdated — even barbaric. We shame countries that require their female citizens to cover themselves at all times. But we’re basically advocating that idea in schools via dress code policies.

There have to be boundaries, and inappropriate signs, crop tops or other revealing and offensive clothes are not fit for a school environment. But shouldn’t it also be a priority to educate young men on how to treat women with respect, regardless of whether they can see their shoulders?